Deacon Council
The Deacon Council is dedicated to serving the congregation through service, support for church ministries, and personal care. Through roles such as benevolence, hospital visitation, and new member integration, Deacons play a vital part in the church’s outreach and care efforts. Their ministry includes ensuring the health of the church body both spiritually and practically.
Purpose (Scope of Ministry): To serve with the pastors and staff in performing pastoral ministry tasks; proclaim the gospel to believers and unbelievers; care for Church members and other persons in the community; lead the Church to engage in a fellowship of worship, witness, education, ministry, and application; and lead the Church in performing its tasks.
The Deacon Council serves as a vital service and caregiving body within Staples Mill Road Baptist Church. As modeled in Scripture, its members are responsible for providing practical support to the congregation and church's ministries. The council includes ordained deacons and Yokefellows—men in training for deacon service—who work together to ensure that the church body is well cared for and supported.
The council oversees several specialized ministries designed to meet specific needs within the church. These include the Hospital and Convalescence Ministry, which focuses on visiting members in hospitals or nursing facilities, and the Bereavement Ministry, which offers comfort and support to grieving families. The New Member Ministry welcomes and helps integrate new members into the church family, while the Inactive Member Ministry reaches out to those who have become disconnected from regular participation. Deacons also provide care for homebound individuals, ensuring they remain spiritually connected despite physical limitations.
A key area of the council’s work involves the Benevolence Ministry, which offers financial assistance to church members and their families facing hardship. The council also manages allocations from the church’s "100" or "Our World" budget line items, which support external ministries, local missions, and other outreach efforts.
Through all these efforts, the Deacon Council plays an indispensable role in the spiritual health and relational fabric of the church. It fosters a caring, connected church family where members feel supported, seen, and encouraged to serve. Through hands-on ministry, the council ensures that the church lives out its mission in both word and deed.
Interested in learning more about serving on the Deacon Council?
Participation on the Deacon Council is limited. Scripture gives high standards for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8–13. Because of their trusted ministry in the church, deacons are carefully chosen by the Pastors and Deacon Council in coordination with the Nominating Committee. They are typically well-known and active church members who are already serving well in the church, who have demonstrated a faithful walk, who are in line with Scriptural guidelines and our church's values, and who are well-trusted in wise decision-making. If you would like to be considered as a Deacon, please indicate your interest on the form linked below.
Click Here to Indicate Interest
